Chapter 28
“Where’s a fire alarm when you need one?” ~ Maya
Maya
C aleb opens the truck door for me and grasps my waist to lift me down. I shiver. I love it when he demonstrates how strong he is. I can’t wait for wall sex. Although, I haven’t pushed him on it since I don’t know the extent of the injuries on his leg.
I frown. He’s still holding back on me.
“What’s wrong?” He scans the area for threats.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I lie. “But I worry the restaurant will be too crowded for you.”
He squeezes my hand. “I’m fine. I’m with you.”
I love the idea of being his personal good luck charm. But I don’t want him to have another panic attack. He’s still embarrassed about the previous one. Which is dumb, but emotions aren’t logical. Even smarty pants Paisley crawled on the floor when she saw Eli.
“Nevertheless, if it gets to be too much, remember our signal.” I tug on my earlobe three times.
He chuckles. “You’re a crazy bunny. ”
“Crazy bunnies are the best kind. We make people laugh. And we never get caught and eaten for Easter dinner.”
He throws an arm over my shoulders and steers me inside. My mouth drops open when we enter the restaurant at the Hideaway Haven Resort.
“I can’t believe you chose this place. It’s fancy.” My nose wrinkles. “And expensive.”
He taps my nose. “Don’t you worry. Hudson offered me a discount.”
“Must be nice to know the owner.”
He chuckles. “You know the owner, too.”
“True. But I don’t know if he still holds my spying on him in high school against me. It was on Nova’s orders but still. He was not happy to see me when he opened his locker and I popped out.”
Caleb gives his name to the hostess and she leads us to a table in the corner. It’s next to the window with a view of the ocean.
“This knowing the owner stuff rocks,” I say as I settle in my chair.
“I know the owner of this awesome brewery. The smuggler’s grapevine claims they’re the best thing since sliced bread.”
My cheeks warm at his compliment. “I wouldn’t say sliced bread but definitely since indoor plumbing.”
“Does the resort carry your beer?”
I giggle. “They do now.”
“Explain. ”
“Well,” I say before telling the story of how Nova got knocked up with Hudson’s child. “And now you know why Five Fathoms beer is sold here.”
He chuckles. “They really got locked in a chalet overnight?”
I shrug. “According to the story but…” I scan the room to make sure no one is listening to us before leaning close and whispering, “How did Nova get away the next morning before the contractor showed up if they were locked in? I say Hudson fibbed because he finally had what he wanted.”
Caleb’s blue eyes darken. “I know how it feels to finally have what you wanted all along.”
I wiggle in my seat. “Me too.”
The waitress arrives and we order the chef’s surprise special and a couple of beers. Once we’re alone, Caleb stands. “I need the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
I watch as he strides across the restaurant. There’s a slight hitch to his walk but he’s still utter perfection to me. Those broad shoulders I know are strong enough to chop wood all morning. Those narrow hips I love to dig my fingers in when he’s buried deep inside me. I fan my face as memories flash through my mind.
Once he’s out of view, I dig my phone out of my purse and open a game. Being alone in a restaurant where other people can look at me makes me antsy. Better to bury my head in a game.
I finish the second round of my game and frown. Caleb’s been gone for five minutes. Worry tries to worm itself through me but I ignore it. He probably bumped into Hudson and lost track of time.
Another five minutes pass and now I am officially worried. I send Caleb a message.
Our appetizers are here. Are you okay?
There. I don’t sound like a complete worry wort. I press send and wait.
And wait.
Two minutes pass before he messages back.
No.
I jump to my feet and run out of the restaurant. I can feel people’s eyes on me but I ignore them. My discomfort at being the center of attention is not what’s important now.
When I reach the lobby, I scan the area. Where are the stupid restrooms? I know they’re here. This isn’t my first visit to the resort. Chloe got married here.
I finally spot the men’s room and hurry to it. I rush inside.
“Caleb? Are you in here?”
“Here.”
I lock the door behind me before searching the room. Shit. Caleb’s lying on the floor. I help him to sit up.
“Can you stand?”
He scowls. “Let me try.”
I lace my arm through his and help him to his feet. He’s nearly standing when his left leg collapses. I try to take his weight but he’s too heavy for me. He crumples to the floor and I barely manage not to fall with him .
I make sure he’s settled against the wall. “Let me go get help.”
“Hudson,” he grits out. “No one else.”
“No one else,” I promise. I dial Hudson’s number.
“Maya?” He answers. “I’ll get Nova for you.”
“No!” I clear my throat. “I need you. Men’s restroom in the main resort building. As fast as possible.”
“On my way.”
“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” I tell Caleb although I don’t know where Hudson is. “Meanwhile, I bet our appetizers are stone cold.”
“I don’t give a shit about our food.”
“Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I was trying to be funny. Note to self. Don’t be funny when you’re locked in the men’s restroom with Caleb. He doesn’t find it amusing.”
I check the time on my phone. Thirty seconds have passed.
“Where is Hudson? No wonder he’s no longer in the NFL. He’s slow,” I mutter.
Someone knocks on the door and I hurry to unlock it. Hudson pushes inside.
“Fuck,” he swears under his breath when he notices Caleb leaning against the wall. “It’s your left leg?” he asks and Caleb nods while I wring my hands.
“How can I help?”
Hudson hauls Caleb to his feet. “Get the door.”
I rush to open it for them.
Hudson helps Caleb to the door. “Don’t want anyone to see me. ”
“Don’t worry, bro. My golf cart is parked near the emergency exit.”
We enter the lobby. There are people everywhere. Was it this busy before? Caleb’s sweating and he’s gasping for breath. Oh no. Is he having a panic attack? Not on my watch.
“Wow!” I shout and point outside. “Someone’s skinny dipping in the pool.”
The crowd rushes toward the swimming pool while we sneak out the emergency exit.
Hudson situates Caleb in the front seat of the golf cart.
“Do you want me to drive your truck back?”
Caleb clutches my hand. “Stay with me.”
“Of course. Whatever you want.”
I sit on the back of the golfcart and Hudson drives us to the cabin. It’s not far since the cabin is on the edge of the resort’s property. When we arrive, Hudson helps Caleb inside and settles him on the sofa.
“Try icing the area and, if it’s not too painful, massaging,” Hudson says as he passes me on his way out the door.
“Thank you.”
He nods and I close the door behind him.
I rush to the kitchen and open the freezer. My eyes bulge out when I notice it’s full of ice packs. Caleb and I need to have a serious conversation about his injuries but not now. I grab an ice pack and a towel.
Caleb’s mouth is bracketed with pain when I return to him. “Um.” I glance down at his jeans. “I think this works better applied to the skin and not over clothing. ”
“Fuck,” he mutters.
“Shall I go? I don’t want to go. I want to stay here and take care of you but if you’re uncomfortable with me being here, I’ll go. I can call Hudson back. He’s familiar with injuries.”
Caleb grasps my hands and tugs until I’m sitting down next to him. “I don’t want you to go but I’m afraid you’ll want to.”
“Why would I want to go anywhere? Do you have gas?” I wrinkle my nose.
He chuckles. “Only my bunny could make me laugh at a time like this.”
I smile. “I love you. And I love making you smile. Your dimple comes out and your hotness level goes from ten to fifty.”
“I hope you still love me after you see this.” He unbuttons his pants.
“Pretty sure that has given me tons of orgasms. And, let’s face it, the penis isn’t the most beautiful sexual organ.”
“Penis?” He snorts. “I figured with as many romance books as you read you would say cock.”
“It’s a cock when it’s aroused. Otherwise, it’s a penis.”
He taps his zipper. “Are you ready for this?”
“Caleb, you could show me you have a tail and I wouldn’t care. I love you.”
Whatever it is. However bad it is. I will stand by Caleb. That’s how love works.